NSF Program Helps Bioscience Entrepreneurs
September 15, 2003

National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences (KGI) a $600,000 grant to launch the Partners for Innovation program, which connects entrepreneurs with KGI research faculty and students, biotechnology business leaders, venture fund management and government agencies to facilitate the research and commercialization of new technologies.

"KGI will solicit projects to develop into ventures from the broad bioscience community as well as, and perhaps more importantly, the local community," said Dr. Greg Dewey, dean of faculty. The program will allow entrepreneurs to submit proposals to a review committee and if accepted, the entrepreneur will have access to KGI facilities for research, student teams to assist in business plan development, venture markets and, when necessary, some level of financing." Dr. Kevin Scanlon, KGI professor and principal author of the NSF proposal is optimistic that this program will generate considerable opportunities for new business development. "The NSF was impressed by the diversity of private sector organizations and local and county government organizations who stood with us in the proposal process. The opportunity to contribute to the economic development of the biotechnology industry on the entrepreneurial level is gratifying indeed," said Scanlon.

By supporting individual entrepreneurs and building synergies with venture capitalists and local organizations, such as the Business Technology Center of the Los Angeles County Community Development Commission, KGI's Partners in Innovation will facilitate the commercialization of innovative projects in the greater Los Angeles area and beyond.

"KGI has a proven track record of providing a productive entrepreneurial environment," said Sheldon (Shelly) Schuster, president of KGI. "In the past two years, KGI research has created two start-up biotechnology companies - Ionian Technologies and Zuyder Pharmaceuticals - both located in the San Gabriel Valley. We will build on previous successes, continue to stimulate the growth and development of original ideas into new technologies and train students to become the next generation of biotechnology leaders."

Entrepreneurs interested in learning more about the program including how to apply should access the KGI website at http://www.kgi.edu/support/partners_innovation.htm for more information.

Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) is the first American graduate school dedicated exclusively to applied life sciences. KGI's mission is to pursue educational programs and research aimed at translating into practice, for the benefit of humanity, the power and potential of the life sciences. Research undertaken at Keck Graduate Institute builds on and creates a wide range of practical applications for the insights into the fundamental processes of life emanating from the nation's research laboratories. KGI is located in the eastern San Gabriel Valley in southern California and is one of seven colleges of the prestigious Claremont Colleges Consortium.

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